Band:	Sunburst
Album:	Manifesto
Style:	Power metal, Progressive metal
Release date:	June 14, 2024
A review by:	RaduP

01. The Flood
02. Hollow Lies
03. Samaritan
04. Perpetual Descent
05. Inimicus Intus
06. From The Cradle To The Grave
07. Manifesto
08. Nocturne

Is Kamelot not prog enough for your tastes? Try Sunburst!

Sure, you also have the Conception and Seventh Wonder alternatives, depending on which of Kamelot's vocalists you prefer (and yes, I am aware I am engaging in Mark Vanderbilt erasure, Dominion doesn't get enough attention). But perhaps you'd like something with just a slightly different nuance. It is a bit reductive to only tie Sunburst to the fact that their vocalists sounds a lot like Roy Khan, as much as it is a very instant and obvious impression. Hailing from Greece, a country that does have quite a penchant for prog and power and everything in between, Sunburst have been on my radar since their debut in 2016, Fragments Of Creation, impressed one of our own so much. Given that power metal is not necessarily a genre I keep in touch with very often, it's needless to say that a follow-up to one of the up-and-coming albums I discovered during years I still consider formative for me was one that was very anticipated.

One consequence of me not paying power metal enough mind might be that some of the name drops I use in this review could be dangerously close to asspulls. Does Sunburst sound like Voyager? Pagan's Mind? Evergrey? Yes, more or less, even if there are way better comparisons out there. But even with my disconnect, I know I'd be very silly not to mention Symphony X and Nevermore. While everyone and their mother can make the very obvious connection between Roy Khan and Vasilis Georgiou's vocal tones, the instrumental palette does feel closest to being a combination of these two aforementioned bands, with the slight bombast of the former and the occasional gruffness of the latter.

Think less flowery cascades of sweeping notes, a touch of synths once again courtesy of ex-Firewind's Bob Katsionis to act as just enough of a somewhat understated support to the melodies, and riffing that's simultaneously groovy, intricate, and with just enough muscle (by power metal standards), and you have the kind of power metal that is more grounded. It's not simple, even with all its restraint, with the instrumental side not trying to outshine Georgiou's passionate performance but doing much more than just supporting it. My only gripe with the production is the lack of bass presence, but outside of that, it's perfectly balanced to give the guitars, drums, vocals, and keys the presence and impact they need and to create a warm and lush sound.

It's hard not to draw comparisons to or to constantly have Kamelot in mind when listening to Manifesto. It's the kind of gripe I have with a lot of bands that get too close to another band's lane. Somehow I don't mind it as much here. On one hand it's because the songwriting is in similar levels of quality that they don't get outcompeted while in the same lane, and on the other hand the riffing is muscular enough that it creates a sense of distinction that's not at odds with the band's sound. Plus it's not like Georgiou is gonna get a different vocal tone, might as well ride the Roy Khan soundalike wave for as long as Sunburst have the chops to pull it off.